While it still doesn’t quite feel like autumn here in South Carolina, there’s the slightest bit of crisp autumnal tanginess lingering in the air in the early morning hours, that enticing little promise, that intriguing little nip, of fall fun.
Music has always seemed better to me in the autumn—indeed, just about everything is. The colder air, though, makes sound waves travel further, and while I don’t pretend to know how that magically makes everything sound better—or if it even does in reality—it surely seems to be an improvement. Perhaps it’s the fact that one can hear a string quartet performing outdoors, or attend an outdoor rock concert, or listen to a bluegrass band at a fall festival, without sweating profusely that makes the difference.
Whatever the reason, yours portly has been writing quite a big of music lately. My biggest release of the year—and the ninth album and/or EP in 2023—Spooky Season III, hits all streaming platforms tomorrow, 4 October 2024—including, for the first time in almost a year, Spotify! Yes, yes, I’m compromising my principles, but it’s for a good reason—money! Actually, it’s due to demand from listeners who want to listen to my music but who remain loyal to the largest streaming platform in the world, even if it is stealing royalties from artists’ pockets.
Anyway, it seemed like a good time to reblog this post about Gustav Mahler’s composing routine—and his cozy, Spartan little shack by the sea. What a wonderful place to hunker down and write music!
With that, here is 5 October 2023’s “TBT^2: Mahler’s Composing Shack“:
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The Portly Politico 